Hunter wasn’t with her but was back at the safe house, working on the DEA investigation. He had been more than understanding about being left behind, given all the internal political issues this situation would cause within the Agency.

So now she found herself at Langley, watching from the surveillance room as Bryce’s questioning began. Was she finally going to get answers to many of the questions that had been plaguing her?

True to his word, Nick appeared to be taking the lead and doing the questioning, along with Frank Gibson. In the surveillance room with her was the other, more junior investigator, Monty Hicks.

Bryce looked beaten down. He was normally completely put together, but tonight his hair was disheveled and his navy dress shirt was wrinkled.

Nick cleared his throat. “Bryce, this will go a lot easier if you don’t play any games. We already know a lot. Your being forthcoming with us will go a long way in determining how this situation is going to be treated. If we feel like you’re holding back or lying to us, I can personally guarantee we will push for the harshest penalty possible. Am I clear?”

Bryce didn’t respond but didn’t break eye contact with Nick either.

Layla’s nerves were frayed as she waited to see how this was going to play out. She had no idea what Bryce was going to say.

Frank opened the thick manila folder sitting in front of him. “We want to talk to you about Layla Karam. You worked very closely with Layla while at the Agency, correct?”

“Yes, I did.”

“How would you describe your relationship?” Frank asked.

“Before she betrayed me, you mean?” Bryce’s nostrils flared.

This was going to be harder to watch than she’d expected. Bryce clearly held more animosity against her than she’d ever imagined.

“Let’s start there,” Frank said.

“Layla initially reported to me, but then she was promoted quickly. Way more quickly than anyone else I’d ever seen, by the way. We became peers and worked together on multiple projects, even though I’m a good ten years her senior. She was my go-to analyst and helped me get prepped for multiple missions.”

Frank looked down at the papers in front of him. “I wasn’t the person running the investigation that took place into your behavior and ultimately resulted in your expulsion from the Agency, but as I understand it, Layla, your friend, was the one who went to our office about what she believed you were doing. Am I right?”

“Yes.” Bryce ran his hands through his hair, only making it messier.

Nick leaned forward. “Why don’t we cut right to the chase, then? Did you retaliate against Layla because you were angry with her?”

Bryce averted his eyes and then reconnected. “You better believe I did.”